Label for hosiery



Dec. 21, 1965 J. G. TEMPLETON 3,224,123

LABEL FOR HOSIERY Filed Nov. 5, 1962 INVENTOR JOHN G TZWPZZ-Tfl/V United States Patent 3,224,123 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 3,224,123 LABEL FOR HOSIERY John G. Templeton, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor to Rose Patch 8: Label Company, Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,243 Claims. (Cl. 40-2) This invention concerns textile labels, and more particularly labels especially adapted for the labeling of thin, stretchable knitted fabrics such as nylon stockings.

The labeling of sheer womens stockings has long presented vexing problems to the hosiery manufacturers. Due to the extreme elasticity of the stocking fabric and its extreme delicacy, it has been impossible to label such hosiery in the manner used on heavier and more sturdy fabrics, such as sewing, for example. As a result, brand designations have so far either been knitted into the welt fabric during manufacture of the stockingan expensive methodor imprinted on the completed stockingan unsatisfactory method because the print washes off. It will be seen that fabric strip labels would be highly desirable in the manufacture of stockings, but so far all attempts to satisfactorily and economically label nylon stockings with fabric strip labels have failed.

It has previously been proposed in the shirt labeling art to use a woven label strip and to weave into the strip on the front side thereof a series of thermoplastic yarns (US. Patent 2,765,814). In the use of these labels, the label strip is cut where the thermoplastic yarns appear, and the ends of the individual labels thus cut are then folded under, whereupon the label is applied to the shirt fabric by heating the label and subjecting it to pressure until all of the thermoplastic yarn melts and forms a bond between the shirt fabric and the non-thermoplastic fibers of the label.

Although labels of the above-described type are useful in the environment for which they were designed, they cannot be used on sheer stockings for several reasons. First, woven labels are not as elastic and stretchable as the knitted fabric of the stocking, and the labels therefore cannot expand sufiiciently when the stocking is worn. As a result, local stresses would be produced at the points of attachment of the label, and the stocking would tear in short order. Secondly, woven labels must be folded under at their ends in order to avoid raveling. (It is for this reason that the thermoplastic threads in the aforesaid patent appear on the front side of the label so that they will be underneath the label when the edges are folded over.) After folding, the thermoplastic threads have to be melted by applying heat through two layers of fabric, and controlled pinpoint melting of the threads at discrete points is difficult. This is of little consequence in the prior art, because the thermoplastic substance merely forms a fabric-to-fabric bond in the same manner as an adhesive. For this reason, however, the bonding area of the prior art labels is stiff and nonstretchable-a property which is of little consequence in shirts, but is intolerable on sheer stockings. Also, the prior art labels have to be accurately cut so that the thermoplastic fibers will appear evenly on both ends of the label and only under the fold where they will not mar the appearance of the front of the label.

The present invention solves the problems outlined above by using a knit label strip whose flexibility and stretchability approximates that of the welt to which it is to be applied. Although the label may be similar in appearance and action to the stocking fabric, it differs therefrom in the one important respect that the entire label is uniformly knit entirely or partially of thermoplastic yarn whose melting point lies well below the softening temperature of the fiber of the stocking itself. Because the ends of a knit label do not ravel, no folding of the ends is necessary. Consequently, when heat is applied to the label for bonding it to the stocking, the heat can be applied at a series of sharply defined very small discrete points. The resulting discontinuity of the bond makes the bond as a whole extremely flexible and permits the bond to be stretched lengthwise to a surprising degree. The label is thus capable of following the stretching and flexure of the stocking material to an extent suflicient to prevent discomfort to the wearer and to prevent undue stressing of the welt material. Alternatively, the sharp definition of the heat application makes possible a very thin continuous zig-zag bond, or any other pattern which may be mechanically desirable in any given application.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a fabric label capable of being used for the labeling of sheer womens hosiery.

It is another object of this invention to provide a knitted fabric strip label composed entirely or partially of thermoplastic yarns having a melting point lower than the softening point of the fabric to which it is to be attached.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a fabric label capable of being attached to a sheer fabric by a thermoplastic bond capable of expanding with the base fabric.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of affixing a thermoplastic knit label to a fabric by the judicious use of temperature gradients which permit thermal bonding of the fabric and label without breaking the thermoplastic yarn.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of a stocking with the label of this invention affixed thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partly diagrammatic and exaggerated sectional view along lines II-II of FIG. 1, also showing the heated dies used in a preferred method of bonding the label to the stocking, and illustrating the method by which bonding is accomplished.

In FIG. 1, which shows one possible illustrative embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates the welt and the numeral 12 the subwelt of an ordinary sheer stocking whose leg is shown at 14. A label 16 is thermoplastically attached to the welt 10 by a series of small, discrete, spaced bond elements 18. The fact that the bond elements 18 are separate and discrete allows the label fabric to flex and stretch to almost any extent the stretching of the welt fabric 22 may require. A desired designation 20 would normally be afiixed to the label 16 during its fabrication process before it is attached to the stocking.

3 FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one method by which the bond elements 18-- may be formed. In FIG. 2, the layer 22 represents the yarn of the welt 10 of the stocking. Only one layer is shown for clarity, although of As a practical matter, it is preferable to use polymers of thesame family for the label fiber and the article fiber, i.e. a polyamide with a polyamide, or a polyester with a polyester, because polymers of the same family generally course the welt would normally be formed of two layers. 5 adhere better to each other than do polymers of different The layer 24 in FIG. 2 represents the yarn of the label families.

16, whose thickness has been somewhat exaggerated for It should be understood that although the label 16 has clarity in FIG. 2. In the illustration of FIG. 2, the label been described herein as flat and attached to the wel-t 10, it 16 is composed entirely of thermoplastic yarn. After the may be equally well be miter folded or looped, or aflixed label 16 has been placed against the welt 10, the label and to a subwelt 12 or to any other part of the article if this welt are placed between a base plate 26 and a die 28 should appear desirable. Likewise, the bond elements equipped with spaced ribs 30. In a preferred embodi- 18 or corresponding pattern may run along the selvage ment' of the invention, the plate 26 and die 28 are heated 34 rather than along the cut edges 36, if desired. Other separately to different temperatures. The plate 26 is variations of the principles and method of the invention brought to a temperature just below the fusion point of 15 are of course possible, and I therefore do not desire to the thermoplastic yarn 24 of the label 16. The die 28 be limited by the embodiment shown and described, but on the other hand, is heated to a temperature below the only by the, scope of the appended claims.

softening point of the welt yarn 22, but well above the I claim:

. fusion point of the label yarn 24. The purpose of this 1. In combination, a stretchable sheer textile article arrangement is to maintain the yarn 24 of the label 16 20 and an attached label, said article being formed of flexilying against the plate26 at a temperature insufficient ble, stretchable, delicate, synthetic thermoplastic polyfor fusion. When the die 28 is then brought to bear meric fibers interengaged to form a sheer delicate article; against the welt, its heat is transmitted through the welt said label being formed of thermoplastic polymeric yarn 22 to the label yarn 24. As a result, the plate side fibers of the same family of polymers as said article of the label is held below fusion temperature, whereas fibers and having flexible and stretchable characteristics the die side of the label is brought above fusion temsimilar to said article fibers to have a like stretching and perature. The resulting temperature gradient in the flexing capacity during normal use of said article and at label yarn causes the die side of the label to become least some of said label fibers being of a thermoplastic sufficiently melted as at 32, to permit the welt yarn 22 to material; said label fibers having a melting point below be pressed into it and bonded to it by the die 28, While 30 the softening point of said article fibers; and said label the plate side of the label stays cool enough to prevent being permanently secured to said article by portions of the label yarn from melting entirely and breaking the. its thermoplastic fibers fusion bonded to said article fibers mesh. while remaining in an unsevered condition.

It will be understood that since the heat transfer 2. The combination in claim 1 wherein said label is a through the fibers depends on the die pressure and the single unfolded layer. dwell time during which the die. remains in position, 3. The method of applying a permanent label to a these parameters must be so chosen as to permit just sheer textile article comprising the steps of: providing enough heat transfer to allow only partial melting of the an article formed of delicate, flexible, stretchable, synyarn 24 as described above. thetic fibers interengaged to form a sheer article; forming Even if some of the yarn ends from which the label 16 a label of interengaged fibers having flexibility and is knit are other than low-melting thermoplastic yarns, stretchability closely similar to that of said article, and it is still desirable to prevent melting of the thermoplasat least partially of thermoplastic fibers having a melting tic yarns through their entire thickness not only because point below the softening point of said article fibers; of the damage to the mesh, but also because of'the implacing said label against said article; heating a die to a proved aesthetic appearance of the label. temperature above the melting point of said label fibers On the other hand, the fact that using thermoplastic but below the softening point of said article fibers and yarn on some of the ends from which the label is knit and pressing it against said article fibers, heating a retaining non-thermoplastic yarn on the others results in a mixed plate to a temperature below said melting point of said fabric which retains some mechanical strength even when thermoplastic label fibers and contacting said plate the thermoplastic yarn has melted, can be utilized in situagainst said label; partially melting said thermoplastic ations where the above-described method is not practical. label fibers with said die to fuse them to said article For example, such a mixed knit fabric is useful when fibers, and withdrawing said heated die before said label the label is to be looped over the top of the welt and affibers are melted completely through and severed. fixed on both sides of the welt, or when high-frequency 4. The method in claim 3 wherein said fusion is perdielectric means are used to produce or assist in producformed at spaced intervals along said label. ing the fusion heat within the thermoplastic yarn itself. 5. In combination, a stretchable sheer textile article As a matter of example, the following illustrative maand an attached label, said article being formed of flexiteria-ls and parameters have been found usable in carrying ble, stretchable, delicate, synthetic fibers interengaged to out the invention: form a sheer delicate article; said label being formed of Article material Labelmaterial Plate temp. Die temp. Die pressure Dwell time F.) F.) (lbs/in?) (see) Nylon 66 (S.P. 460 N ign 6 (MP. 420 330 440 1, 280 t Dacron polyester fiber Vicron polyester 380 460 1, 280 $6 (M.P. 480 F.) (8.1. fiber (M.P. 455 1%). 460 F.).

S.P.=soitening point. M.P.=meltlng point.

It will be appreciated that as the die temperature apfibers having flexible and stretchable characteristics simiproaches the softening point of the article material, some lar to said article fibers to have a like stretching and flexweakeningof the article, material atthe bond is prone ing capacity during normal use of said article and at least to occur. some of said label fibersbeing of a thermoplastic mate- 5 6 rial; said label fibers having a melting point below the References Cited by the Examiner softening point of said article fibers; Said label being UNITED STATES PATENTS permanently secured to said article by portions of-its thermoplastic fibers fusion bonded to said article fibers 1538249 5/1925 Lorenz' 2,604,770 7/1952 Ischinger 2239 while remalnmg in an unsevered conditlon; and said 5 2828 776 4/1958 Mayer fusion bonding occurring at spaced intervals along said 2976628 3/1961 Breslow label to allow complete flexing of said label with said article Without any appreciable contractive stress being FOREIGN PATENTS applied to said article fibers by said label. 853,288 11/ 1949 France.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

JEROME SCHNALL, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A STRETCHABLE SHEET TEXTILE ARTICLE AND AN ATACHED LABEL, SAID ARTICLE BEING FORMED OF FLEXIBLE, STRETCHABLE, DELICATE, SYNTHETIC THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERIC FIBERS INTERENGAGED TO FORM A SHEET DELICATE ARTICLE; SAID LABEL BEING FORMED OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERIC FIBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY OF POLYMERS AS SAID ARTICLE FIBERS AND HAVING FLEXIBLE AND STRETCHABLE CHARACTERISTICS SIMILAR TO SAID ARTICLE FIBERS TO HAVE A LIKE STRETCHING AND FLEXING CAPACITY DURING NORMAL USE OF SAID ARTICLE AND AT LEAST SOME OF SAID LABEL FIBERS BEING OF A THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL; SAID LABEL FIBERS HAVING A MELTING POINT BELOW THE SOFTENING POINT OF SAID ARTICLE FIBERS; AND SAID LABEL BEING PERMANENTLY SECURED TO SAID ARTICLE BY PORTIONS OF ITS THERMOPLASTIC FIBERS FUSION BONDED TO SAID ARTICLE FIBERS WHILE REMAINING IN AN UNSEVERED CONDITION. 